Segments in this Video

Race and Postneonatal Death(03:41)

FREE PREVIEW

African-American babies are twice as likely to die before their first birthday as white babies. One of the poorest cities in the United States, Rochester, NY has one of highest infant mortality rates in country. Sasha Fontanez's three-month-old daughter, Annie, died in her sleep.

Community Stressors and Child Health(04:01)

Baby Annie had several risk factors for SIDS. Pediatrician Dr. Jeff Kaczorowski shares stories from the ER that inspired him to focus on helping children in the community and to work to prevent infant mortality.

Effects of Toxic Stress(05:35)

Rochester moms worry about violence and providing for their children. Dr. Wanda Barfield of the CDC believes a biological link exists between living environment and infant mortality, as chronically stressed mothers are at risk for early labor. Eszabia Johnson and Laquitta Hall's newborn son, Nathan, died in the NICU due to premature birth defects.

Pressure and Anxiety After Birth(02:32)

Toxic stress can continue to affect children's health trajectories even after pregnancy. Sasha recounts the stress of being unemployed and going without food prior to Baby Annie's death.

Caring for Expectant Moms(08:22)

Healthcare professionals in Rochester lead targeted programs to reduce maternal stress during pregnancy. Community outreach organizations provide basic needs, parenting support, and job training for new mothers. Perinatal support programs struggle to keep up with demand. See a preview about the rising purchasing power of people of color in the United States.

Surviving Year One

Description

The U.S. spends more on healthcare than any other nation, and the biggest portion goes toward pregnancy and childbirth. Despite this, infant mortality rates are appalling. To find out more about this critical issue, visit Rochester, New York, where babies are dying at a rate two times higher than the national average and where mothers of color are three times more likely than white mothers to lose their babies before their first birthday. In the search for answers, learn about programs that are working to reverse these dramatic disparities.